Halo Wars release strategy: 'when it's done'
by Randy Nelson 
{ Jun 14th 2008 at 3:00AM }
First off, the game missed the recent Xbox Spring Showcase in May. Now Graham Somers, Ensemble's community manager, has uttered the words "when," "it's," and "done" one after another in an interview with Halo Wars Addict. Somers' answer came when asked if the game will hit in 2008 or 2009.
We have been seeing a pickup in new details on the game recently – which is promising – and will hopefully have something more solid to go on than those three dreaded words come E3 next month. That said, can someone please put a dollar in the jar labeled "WID" on their way out? Thanks.
[Via X3F]
Gallery: Halo Wars
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Limezor @ Jun 14th 2008 3:09AM
Who else thinks this will be a dud?
Moorio - XBL: peacebyanymeans @ Jun 14th 2008 4:15AM
Uh... it has the word 'HALO' on the front of the box.
It's going to sell millions.
Moorio - XBL: peacebyanymeans @ Jun 14th 2008 4:16AM
Unless you mean 'dud' as in 'a bad game,' then I'd be more incline to say "I 'unno."
A Pissed-off English Gamer @ Jun 14th 2008 8:52AM
An RTS primarily marketed for a console? How could that be a bad idea! I mean, if you brush aside the fact that you're using the wrong damn control in-put, I'm sure it's wonderful. I think as superior as the mouse and keyboard in-put is for FPS games, that position is cemented ten-fold for games in the RTS realm. I don't think I could pull my old 100+ apm on a pad like I did on Warcraft 3.
Also, i worry that it will just be a 'Sit In Your Base, Mass Things Then Fight' game, like every C&C game ever made. DoW syndrome would be depressing, too; a bunch of aesthetically different races that end up less varied than Starcraft's 3.
But, fears aside, this--alledgedly dreaded--"When It's Done" talk is getting blown out of proportions. Yes, games sooner is better, but when we're talking about a game that is going to want to have a long multiplayer life, the work that goes into it needs to be staggering to meet the high high quality needed. Especially to balance an RTS. I find it refreshing, actually, because it just reminds me that they'll set a release date when the end is in sight, not in order to place the end within sight.
Spiza @ Jun 14th 2008 11:32AM
Maybe if it was for the PS3 where they let you use keyboard/mouse. Unless of course microsoft is going to change its ways.
Grant @ Jun 14th 2008 3:20AM
it's a sneaky strategy, but it just might work.
BPM [MKWii: 2578 3585 8392] @ Jun 14th 2008 3:24AM
[puts $5 in the WID jar]
I'm sure it needs it...
Josh @ Jun 14th 2008 3:26AM
Better it gets done to their satisfaction then rushed to meet some arbitrary deadline. We've all see what kind of crap gets shipped when that happens.
Roto13 @ Jun 14th 2008 12:38PM
^^ This
Solid Chief @ Jun 14th 2008 3:43AM
;_;
I was looking forward to this as being a good console RTS.
I know RTS's are better on computers. I've played them since forever...However I just can't afford getting a PC in order to run the new ones.
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Jun 14th 2008 5:47AM
Keyboard and Mouse support on consoles should be mainstreamed.
Noshino @ Jun 14th 2008 8:01AM
Uh, Blizzard is known for trying to make their titles available to multiple audiences...
Hell, I remember a friend running SC on a really shitty PC (shitty back in the days, shittier by today's standards) with no issues at all
And if we are to go by Ensemble's story (I never got into AoE, but goddamn, internet cafes used to be divided by AoE and/or SC people, it was so awesome) then this should be a quality title
Kokomadeta @ Jun 14th 2008 3:52AM
Wow, they might actually finish the game unlike they did with Halo 2. That would be nice...
GreyFox @ Jun 14th 2008 4:36AM
Let's hope the marketing doesn't over sell it again.
HAY GUYS CHECK OUT THIS AWESOME CITY ASSAULT. OH WAIT IT'S NOT IN-GAME.
Christopher Grant @ Jun 14th 2008 10:52AM
You know what - after Halo 2 came in, I found that almost no one remembered that scene and, despite misgivings about the length, didn't realize how much was cut. I was sure we'd see that level in Halo 3, surprised we didn't. It's sitting somewhere in some Bungie coders external hard drive.
juju187 @ Jun 14th 2008 4:28AM
whoa whoa...
just because the "Game" is finished
doesnt mean the story will be...
half an arse anyone
Benny @ Jun 14th 2008 7:42AM
Not sure why "when it's done" is so dreadful. It's better than having a crappy, unrealistic release date.
Lord Bowser @ Jun 14th 2008 7:46AM
Ah, Benny, my fannypack. Long time no see, eh.
Benny @ Jun 14th 2008 8:04PM
You're still here, huh? Have you found any games you like yet? :P
I do reiterate my point though. I'd rather developers be honest (or I'd rather publishers didn't pressure them) and just say that a game isn't ready. Like... I'm sure Alan Wake has been coming out "this year" for at least 2 years now.
Au @ Jun 14th 2008 8:18AM
Will I be able to Grunt rush?
Jakka @ Jun 14th 2008 9:39AM
In before Fernando and his IR pointers. :P
Nevertheless, I'd love to see RTS' on Wii.
john_sauce @ Jun 14th 2008 10:12AM
lol but fuernado sucks cuz his 360!!! Shitbox130 !
SRSLY tho this is gunna blow
'when it's done" lol when i'm done crappin gin a box
Babel @ Jun 14th 2008 10:31AM
I'm not even sure what you just said...
Lord Bowser @ Jun 14th 2008 10:32AM
Cancer.
Drago Dracini @ Jun 14th 2008 11:53AM
get aids.
Mr Khan @ Jun 14th 2008 11:31AM
It seems to me like they're having a hard time getting the gameplay formula just right, that they've gone through one or two builds that just didn't pan out, and keep having to switch stuff around
I mean, a game with Halo in the title won't end up quasi-vaporware like Alan Wake, so they must be having some troubles
Lone Starr @ Jun 14th 2008 2:56PM
People told me it was crazy to scour Joystiq for great deals on precious stones, but I finally proved them wrong!
Suck on it!
Ethan @ Jun 14th 2008 6:25PM
This is a very difficult game to make. Last time I saw a preview, I was so impressed with what they'd done, the whole thing seemed to be a perfect blend of intuition, accuracy and scope. But I guess that was a demo and there's stuff they're having trouble with.
Maverick Saturn @ Jun 15th 2008 10:07AM
I have mixed feelings on this game.
The bad:
- Its not on PC, controls are gay.
- Its Halo ¬_¬
- The flood are apparently not in it
The good:
- Makes a change, starcraft for consoles basically.
- Looks immersive and addictive
- Co-op :O